Key holder



Nov. 27, 1934. J. BENNETT 1,981,984

KEY HOLDER4 FilledvNv. 21, 193s ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 27, 1934 KEY HOLDER John M. Bennett, Detroit, Mich. Application November 21, 1933, Serial No. 698,966

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a key holder and has for its object the provision of a key holder which will serve as a means for retaining a number of keys at- 5 tached thereto in such a manner that each key may be individually moved to extend outwardly from the holder as to be adapted for use.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a key holder of this class of a structure whereby each key may be individually latched in position within the holder and individually released i'or movement to project exterior of the holder so that it may be used. f

AnotherI object of the invention is-the provision of a key holder adapted for the retaining of a plurality of keys and so arranged and constructed that each key may be individually latched within the holder and immediately upon release projected outwardly from the holder so 3 that it may be used.

Another object of the invention is the provision oi' a device of this class which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture, durable, compact, and highly etlicient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawing which forms a part ofthis specification, and in which,

c Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention, with one of the side walls removed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is asectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. l

Fig. 4 is an end elevational viewof the inven tion.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the supporting frame used in the invention.

The invention comprises a central plate or supporting frame 6 which as shown in Fig. 5 is substantially S shaped. Formed in one end of this frame is an opening 7 and a similar opening 8 is formed in the other end of the frame. En'- gaging in each of these openings is a spacing sleeve 9 which is interiorly threaded and into which are threaded screws 10 which serve to mount the side plates 11 and 12 on the frame s o that there is a space 13 between the 4frame or intermediate supporting body and the wall l1,

and a similar space 14 betweenthe frame andY the wall 12.

Swingably mounted on each of the spacing the leg 27 will force it outwardly so that it is sleeves 9 in each of the spaces 13 and I14 is a key l5, the shank 16 thereof being swingable to lie between the central vframe and -the outer plate. The frame is grooved on its opposite sides at 17 and 18, and embracing the frame at 60 these grooved portions lare doubled-over or. U

shaped springs. Each of the legs 19 is provided at its free end with a latch nose 20. Secured to each of the legs and projecting outwardly through openings formed in the side platesI 11 and 12 are 65 the press studs 21 and 22. I

The frame is notched at its opposite ends as at 23, this notch'openingin a constricted passage 24 and having formed at one side the groove 25. For each of the notches 23 there is provided a U shaped spring having the legs 26 and 27 which are adapted to lie in the spaces 13 and 14 respectively, so that the U shaped spring embraces'the frame. The big'ht 28 of. this U shaped spring is angularly turned sol that its edges engage in the groove 25. 'I'he ends of the legs 26 and 27 are bowed as atl 29. 'Ihe construction is such that as the key is swung from its dotted line position inwardly of the space 13 or 14 so as to have the shank 16 thereof lie within the marginal limits of the plates 11 and 12, one of the legs 26 or 27 will be ilexed upwardly as clearly appears in Fig. 1, the leg 27 being indicated in full lines as having been flexed upwardly from the dotted line position when the key is swung from the dotted line position in Fig. 1 to the full line position.

The key will also engage at its outer edge behind a nose so that it is latched in this position. Upon pressing inwardly on either the stud 21 or 22 as the case may be, the leg of the spring which carries the .latching nose 20 will be pressed in- `wardly so as to release or unlatch the key'shark 16. When the key shank is released or unlatched,

but necessary to press inwardly on one of the studs 21 o r 22m order to eject or cause one of the keys to be projected from between the plates of the retainer. The pivoted end of the key15 when swung outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 will engage at its edges between spring clips 32 vand 33, thus serving to hold the key extended outwardly from the casing.

lIt is believed obvious that the structure is one which may be easily and quickly assembled and also economically manufactured. The compactness of the device is also believed obvious as the keys may be retained side by'side. In the form illustrated, the device would be adaptedi'or carrying four keys, a key being `positioned on each of the sleeves 9 in each of the spaces 13 and 14.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of structure of my invention, I do' not wish to limit myself to the precise details of construction shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as mayV come Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- -open at the edges of said plates, said pivot pin serving as a support for a key swingably mounted; a U shaped spring mounted on said central plate, each of the legs of said spring projecting into one of said compartments, and each adapted for engaging a swngably mounted key; and latch means for latching a key in said compartment..

2. A key holder of the class described, comprising a central plate; a pair of side plates mounted on said central plate spaced outwardly from opposite faces .thereof to provide at opposite sides of said central plate a key receiving compartment; means on said central plate for pivotally mounting a key whereby the key may swing into and out of one'of said compartments; a U shaped spring embracing one end of said central plate and having each of its'legs projecting into one of said compartments and engageableA with a key swungA inwardly thereof; and latch means for latching a key in said inwardly swung position, said spring effecting; upon release of said latch means', the outward swinging of said key.

3. A key holder of the class'described, compris- -ing a substantially SV shaped supporting frame;

a pair of side platesy mounted at opposite sides oi' said frame in spaced relation thereto, to provide at opposite sides of said frame a key receiving compartment; a plurality of means for swingably mounting a, key on said frame, whereby the keys may be swung into and out of said compartments; a U shaped spring mounted on said frame in embracing relation thereto, each of the legs of said spring extending into one of said compartments; U shaped resilient latch members embracing said frame at one edge thereof and projecting to the opposite edge for engaging a key when swung into a compartment; means accessible exterior of said side plates for flexing said latch members to releasingposition, the legs of said U shaped spring effecting an outward swinging of a key upon release of its latch means.

4. A key holder of the class described, comprising a substantially S-shaped frame; a pair of side plates, each mounted in spaced relation to opposite faces of said frame to provide, at opposite sides of said frame, a' key receiving compartment; a plurality of means for swingably` mounting a key on said frame whereby keys may be swung into and out of said compartments; a pair of U shaped resilient latch members mounted on said frame in embracing relation thereto intermediate the ends thereof and projecting from one edge to the opposite edge thereof; a latchnose mounted on the free end' of each of the legs of said latch members `adapted for engaging a key upon the swinging of the same intov a compartment and preventing outward swinging thereof; a spring in each of said compartments for normally pressing outwardly of said compartment a key swung inwardly thereof; and means accessible exterior of said side plates for freeing the legs of said latch members individually for releasing its key. 

